1.  Ask WHY this litter was bred.  Your "Reputable Breeder" should not only be able to tell you what they were looking to accomplish in the match of this dam and sire, but might even have it written down for you to take with you.  The puppies could be bred for the show ring, agility trials, obedience trials or many other venues of competition.  The "Reputable Breeder" will be able to show you which dogs in your puppies' pedigree will help bring out these traits in this puppy.  The "Reputable Breeder" also finds that their top show potential dogs can be easily suited to a companion home and consider each placement carefully.  Most well bred puppies should also make wonderful "foot warmer" companions.

 2.  Are there health clearances on the mom and the dad?  The breeder should provide paperwork to verify the clearances were indeed done.  Hip clearance certificates are available on dogs or bitches that are over two years of age.  It is important that breeders wait until the second year to breed their dogs.  The x-rays are taken by a veterinarian, then submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation of America.  The x-rays are reviewed by the vets at the foundation and a certificate is provided to the owner of the dog or bitch that rates the dog in the following categories:  Normal is listed as Excellent or Good; Transitional is Fair or Borderline; Dysplastic is Mild, Moderate or Severe.  Eye clearances are ONLY done by a "Board Certified Canine Ophthalmologist" and the form itself is a form that is filled out and given to the examining vet.  If the filled out form is submitted to the CERF foundation, a certificate is returned to the owner.  Whereas the OFA is a once in a lifetime event, the eye exam is done yearly. 

 3.  If I have problems will I contact you?  Your "Reputable Breeder" should have a good support network setup to help you with your growing puppy.  He / she will be able to advise you with those problems that occur with a growing puppy.  Your breeder also loves to hear the brags and just the daily joys you might want to share.  Once the puppy is adopted, the breeder actually wants to continue to relationship.

 4.  The "Reputable Breeder" will ask you for references and may require a home inspection.  The breeder will also be able to provide you with references.  It is important to the breeder that the puppy have that "forever" home that is verified good.  A home that will be there for the life of the dog.

 5.  Are you holding these puppies for at least eight weeks, preferably nine weeks.  Your "Reputable Breeder" should be raising these puppies according to a schedule he / she feels provided good socialization, nurturing and a great feeding program.  "Reputable Breeders" will give you insight into the program they use to rear good puppies.  The puppies should not be locked in a kennel away from humans, and the puppies should be very happy to see people.  

 6.  Are your dogs guaranteed?  A "Reputable Breeder" should be willing to provide guarantees with their placements.  Most should be lifetime guarantees.  These guarantees will be backed up by the proper paperwork.  Most guarantees DO require the adoptee to use good care, proper socialization, classes for socialization and obedience and normal precautions on keeping the dog safe.  Guarantees may be voided if the adopted dog is not cared for.  Some breeders have clauses in their contracts that provide a means to "repossess" the dog if the dog's care is substandard.  "Reputable Breeders" care about their puppies until the day the pass to the Rainbow Bridge, and the "Reputable Breeder" will be there when that happens too.

 7.  Do you provide a pedigree, preferably FIVE generations.  The "Reputable Breeder" will provide at least the FIVE generation pedigree, it may also include the health clearances, titles and additional information of the puppy's ancestors.

 8.  "Reputable Breeders" will NOT provide Christmas puppies.  Puppies should be a well thought out decision and they should NOT be given as gifts.  It is not unusual that a "Reputable Breeder" will allow a puppy to be a Christmas present from a family to the children, HOWEVER a picture may be given, and the breeder may allow a Christmas visit to the puppy at the ranch, but the puppy will not be placed until after the holiday activity, probably into January.

 9.  The puppies and the other dogs living with the "Reputable Breeder" should look healthy and happy.  The dogs should have a shiny coat, they should be happy, should not be overweight and they should be happy to see visitors.